Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of the 12 drivers who have qualified for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. His inclusion in the Chase moves the 8,888 race fans entered in Dale Jr.'s South Point Jackpot another step closer to free NASCAR tickets in Las Vegas.

Dale Jr.'s South Point Jackpot is a unique promotion that has tied 8,888 race fans to Dale Jr.'s pursuit of his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title. Should Earnhardt win the championship, the 8,888 fans who entered the contest will receive free tickets to the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"The excitement is definitely building among this group of fans and the speedway," said LVMS general manager Chris Powell. "Dale Jr. has been one of the most consistent drivers all season long, and based on recent races, it looks like the Hendrick Motorsports team is starting to hit its stride. I know there are millions of fans who root for Dale Jr. every week, but there are 8,888 fans who will be rooting harder than the rest."

Earnhardt enters the Chase fourth in the standings and just 70 points out of first. Kurt Busch was seventh heading into the Chase in 2004 and won the championship. Earnhardt has wins at five of the 10 tracks in the Chase and multiple victories at Talladega and Phoenix.